Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1937

Death

:

April 15, 2016

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Guy Woolfenden was a British composer and conductor, best known for his contributions to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as their music director for over 30 years. Born on May 12, 1937, in Ipswich, England, Woolfenden grew up in a musical family. His father was a professional violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Woolfenden began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola. Woolfenden attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Lennox Berkeley and conducting with Maurice Miles. After graduating, he worked as a freelance composer and conductor, writing music for television, radio, and film. In 1963, he joined the RSC as their music director, a position he held until 1997. During his time at the RSC, Woolfenden composed music for over 100 productions, including many of Shakespeare's plays. His music was known for its versatility, ranging from traditional Elizabethan-style music to contemporary rock and jazz-inspired pieces. Woolfenden's music was an integral part of the RSC's productions, helping to create the atmosphere and mood of each play. One of Woolfenden's most famous works is his score for the RSC's production of "The Comedy of Errors" in 1976. The score featured a mix of Elizabethan-style music and contemporary rock and roll, with songs like "I'm a Dromio" and "Sisters of Ephesus" becoming popular hits. The production was a huge success and helped to establish Woolfenden as a leading composer in the theatre world. Woolfenden's other notable works for the RSC include his scores for "The Tempest," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and "Macbeth." He also composed music for other theatre companies, including the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House. In addition to his work in the theatre, Woolfenden was also a prolific composer of concert music. His works include several symphonies, concertos, and chamber music pieces. He was particularly interested in writing music for young people and composed many works for school orchestras and ensembles. Woolfenden was also a respected conductor, leading many orchestras in the UK and abroad. He was the principal conductor of the City of London Sinfonia from 1991 to 1994 and conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, among others. Throughout his career, Woolfenden received many awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1991 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Warwick in 1997. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Woolfenden continued to compose and conduct until his death on April 15, 2016, at the age of 78. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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